Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Each day, Coco had dragged herself away from the clinic, worried about how Muffin would do without her there to take care of it. Yesterday following a phone conversation to update the owner on the progress of all the dogs, Coco been particularly upset because the woman had mentioned that the runt wouldn’t be sellable. She announced her plan to drop off the undesirable pup at the animal shelter on her way home when she collected the others. Coco was sure the pup would die without its mother and was heartbroken.
Today, his Little appeared with tears running down her cheeks. She’d gotten halfway to the car before she turned around to face the building again. Coco had taken two steps when the door opened again. Sofia and Isabella walked out carrying a basket and a bag of supplies. Roman slipped out from behind the wheel to watch and listen.
“I can’t leave Moo… Muffin,” Coco said, stumbling over the name she’d given to the cocker spaniel pup.
“I’d hope not,” Sofia said with a smile. “You got further than I guessed. I lost the staff pool.”
“What?” Coco asked, staring at the twins.
“I think I won,” Isabella crowed. “I guessed you’d take seven steps and run back to the door.”
“Are you making fun of me?” Coco asked.
“No. We’re bringing you Muffin. Your Daddy asked if he could buy her and the owner agreed. You may not thank us after you have to keep getting up every two hours to feed her,” Sofia said.
Coco turned back to stare at Roman. When he nodded, she whooped and raced back to throw her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Daddy!”
“You’re very welcome, Little girl. Go get your puppy.”
“Remember, Coco. You may do your very best to help Muffin survive and she might not make it. Often when a puppy is rejected, the mother and the other pups sense something is wrong with it. I don’t see any signs of illness, but that possibility exists. You are giving Muffin the very best chance she has to survive, but that may not be enough,” Sofia told her gently as she rejoined the twins on the sidewalk.
“I know. But I have to try. She’s worth it,” Coco told her.
“She is,” Isabella said. “We’re a call away if you need anything, and you are to bring her to work with you each day. Even when she’s old enough to stay at home. We like the idea of a well-socialized office dog hanging out in the office. The staff loves the idea.”
“Remind her of that when Muffin eats her favorite shoes,” Sofia said with a grin.
“You all rock. Thank you so much,” Coco said.
“Don’t thank us. Your Daddy arranged it all. I just put together a goodie bag of things you’ll need to take care of her for a while. Don’t blame me on Monday when you’ve got big black circles under your eyes,” Isabella teased.
“She’ll nap when Muffin sleeps,” Roman assured her. “Now, do I get to see this creature?”
“Creature?” Coco said, appalled. “Muffin is adorable!”
She accepted the basket from Sofia, and Roman stepped forward to take the heavy bag. “Look, Daddy. This is Muffin. She’s going to love you as much as I do.” With tears gleaming in her eyes, Coco held the basket where Roman could see her.
“She is tiny,” Roman said and knew he’d love the puppy as much as Coco did. “I’ll hold her when we get home so I can make sure not to drop her.”
“You won’t hurt her, Daddy. I’ll show you how to take care of her,” Coco rushed to assure him.
“Thank you, Little girl. I can’t wait. Shall we head back to the house?”
“Yes, let’s go. I can’t wait to fix the perfect spot for Muffin. She’ll need somewhere warm,” Coco told him.
“A couple of very smart cookies sent me a list of things to order. Everything came today. That puppy is going to live in the Taj Mahal,” Roman joked as he tucked Coco and her precious cargo into the passenger seat before setting all the other supplies in the back seat.
“Thank you,” he called to Sofia and Isabella, who stood with their arms wrapped around each other’s waists. His Little girl couldn’t have landed in any better place than at their clinic.
Coco chattered to Muffin on the way home. She settled the small pup in its new warming station when they got home and took advantage of a short time break between feedings to get everything organized on a special section of the kitchen island. When that was finished, Coco fixed a small bottle and fed Muffin. Instantly, the tiny creature fell asleep.
“Back into her safe spot, Coco. Now, it’s Daddy’s turn to change and feed you,” Roman directed. When she returned, Roman walked her to the nursery and changed her out of her work clothes and into leggings and a top.